The second division team 1. FC Kaiserslautern moved into the DFB Cup final for the first time since 2003 with a 2-0 win against 1. FC Saarbrücken. With a header from Marlon Ritter, the second division team took a 1-0 lead (53rd minute). Almamy Touré scored to make it 2-0 for Lauter – again with his head (75th). The Saarbrücken team continued to be dangerous until the final whistle, but it wasn’t enough to score again.
In the first half, Saarbrücken controlled the game for long stretches. Despite a few chances, coach Rüdiger Ziehl’s team did not come to a successful conclusion. The defeat ended the Saarlanders’ impressive run of success in the DFB Cup after victories against Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The Palatinate team can continue to hope for a cup victory. For the traditional club, which is threatened with relegation in the second division, it would be the third cup victory after 1990 and 1996. Overall, Kaiserslautern is in the final for the eighth time.
Who 1. FCK will face in the final on May 25th in Berlin will be decided on Wednesday. Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen welcome second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Opening goal after goalkeeping error
Kaiserslautern shied away from taking risks in the first half and relied on a stable defense. The 16,000 spectators in the Ludwigsparkstadion saw little dynamism in the game. There were no chances to score on both sides. There were a lot of scenes in the penalty areas. After just half an hour, FCK coach Friedhelm Funkel had to make his first change because attacker Kenny Prince Redondo was injured without any interference from the opponent. Aaron Opoku came for him.
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Both teams perked up in the second half. The guests’ first goal was particularly unfortunate for Saarbrücken goalkeeper Tim Schreiber. Ritter’s weak header slipped between his legs. A quarter of an hour before the end, Touré headed the goal to give FCK a 2-0 win. In the final phase, Kaiserslautern played safely, the Saarlanders had no chance of extra time.
“It hurts extremely now,” said Saarbrücken’s coach Ziehl on ARD. “We can be proud that we’ve made it this far.” But that doesn’t make up for the defeat today. Goalkeeper Tim Schreiber was also visibly disappointed after the final whistle: “I’m extremely sorry for the team. The boys fought so hard.”
On the other hand, there was celebration at 1. FCK. “Today we had the luck we needed,” said coach Funkel. The team is now in Berlin and the players have permission to celebrate for a few hours.
The second division team 1. FC Kaiserslautern moved into the DFB Cup final for the first time since 2003 with a 2-0 win against 1. FC Saarbrücken. With a header from Marlon Ritter, the second division team took a 1-0 lead (53rd minute). Almamy Touré scored to make it 2-0 for Lauter – again with his head (75th). The Saarbrücken team continued to be dangerous until the final whistle, but it wasn’t enough to score again.
In the first half, Saarbrücken controlled the game for long stretches. Despite a few chances, coach Rüdiger Ziehl’s team did not come to a successful conclusion. The defeat ended the Saarlanders’ impressive run of success in the DFB Cup after victories against Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
